Santorini 09 - 09 -2008

Overview of Santorini with Queen Vitoria...

Pullmantur's Zenith also drifting.

Nordam from Holland American Line at anchor and Queen Vitoria drifting in Santorini.

Oceana

Photos taken on 22-07-08 from Paço de Arcos

Queen Elizabeth 2

Leaving Lisbon Harbour on 22-07-08. This was one of her last calls at Lisbon before cruising to Dubai where she will turn a floating hotel. For me this is one of the most beautiful cruise ships on the world. It's a pity that we won't be able to see her sailing in the future.

Sunday Afternoon from St. Amaro Docks

Princess Danae and Ocean Monarch

After a while without any post here i am back again with a photo of the WCA sister ships, Princess Danae and Ocean Monarch alongside in Honningsvag in June, 26th.
The photo doesn't have good quality because it was taken from a webcam (Nordkapp)

Busy dawn at Lisbon - April, 29th

The Cunard newest cruise ship Queen Victoria followed by two container vessels at lisbon bar entrance early morning...The first one seems to be the Boxline ship Apolo.

Photos taken from Escola Náutica Infante D. Henrique

Volcan de Tijarafe leaving Viana do Castelo

Volcan de Tijarafe is Spanish built Passenger/Ro-Ro ferry built this year in Hijos de J. Barreras S.A.(Vigo). This ship came to Viana do Castelo shipyard for final works and paint job inside drydock. She will operate between the Canarian islands, Funchal (Madeira) and Portimão.

During last year there has been a lot of discussion about the need to connect Portugal mainland to Azores and Madeira trough a regular service of a Passenger/Ro-Ro ferry in other maritime blogs. Naviera Armas shows clearly that this connection is profitable...the Portuguese stay behind...again!!

Below it is possible to see Volcan de Tijarafe leaving Viana do Castelo with the aid of two tugboats.

Fred.Olsen Express - Bentago Express and Bencomo Express

These two catamaran can reach an impressive maximum speed of 40 knots when unloaded and operate between the Canarias Islands. When shall we have the same in Portugal connecting main land to Azores and Madeira?

"Bentago Express" swinging...very fast

Photos taken from M/V Athena in Tenerife (18-03-08)

Main features:

Type : Fast Ferry Wave piercing Catamaran
Year of construction: 1999

Overall length: 95.47 m
Beam: 26.16 m
Tonnage: 6.348 T.R.B.
Registration: Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Foot passengers: 871
Vehicle capacity: 330 metres nose-to-noseEquivalent in trailers: 27Equivalent in cars: 271
Speed: Maximum 48 knots (unloaded)Maximum 40 knots (with a deadweight of 500 tons)In service 38 knots (with a deadweight of 500 tons) Deadweight: Maximumu aproximately 775 tons
Engine power: 38.516 C.V.
Stabilisers: 2 at the bow and 2 at the stern "Martine Dynamics" insuring passengers maximum comfort

On board the Italian flagged M/V Athena

M/V Athena alongside in Malaga (15-03-2008)

17-03-2008 - Call at Funchal - in photo there is also Aida Diva and Thompson Destiny (the last one)

Leaving Madeira ...heading to Tenerife

Tugboat "Castelo de Viana"

From the same author (seafinder) of the videos of Galp Leixões and Galp Setúbal here it is the third video in his youtube profile:

M/V Athena

Athena leaving Aveiro port, where she was layed up for 3 months before she set sail for the Christmas and New years' cruises.
This ship , ex-Stockholm, is well known for having sunk Andrea Doria (an Italian Liner) in a foggy night leaving New York Harbour.


Main Features:

Portuguese Flagged Vessel
LOA: 160 m
Beam:21 m
GT: 16.144 tons
Max Speed: 17 nós

M/T Galp Setubal

This one was already sold by Sacor Marítima S.A. one year ago...Leixoões shall have the same destiny in the second semester of 2009...

M/T Galp Leixões

M/T Galp Leixões is one of the two last vessels of Sacor Maritima S.A.

This ship usually operates between Leixões, Lisboa, Sines and Setúbal

M/V Ocean Monarch enters Naval Rocha Drydock nr.1

At 1200 M/V Ocean Monarch left Cais da Rocha Pier heading to Naval Rocha Drydock nr.1 with the help of three tugs: Svitzer Leixoes, Sezoes and Ala. At the entrance of the drydock there was Zezito with the line that connected M/V Ocean Monarch to the drydock's windlass so that she could enter without any problem.

The Ocean Monarch is scheduled to be in Naval Rocha till the end of the month.

Here are some photos of this entrance...a special thanks to Pedro Baptista that gave permission to publish some of his photos:

M/V Ocean Monarch alongside in Terminal de Passageiros da Rocha:

Forward Tug Sezoes...

Forward tug Sezoes and Ala and Zezito standing by

Aft tug Svitzer Leixoes, Ala and Zezito

Half way...

M/V Ocean Monarch and Svitzer Leixoes

Almost there...

N/M Roaz

Roaz alongside in Leixoes

Heading South to Setubal...

Heading North...

Approaching Viana do Castelo

Alongside in Leixoes

Main Features:
Owner - Somera Trading Inc
Operator - Seacarrier
Built in 1990
Lpp - 82,5 mts
Beam - 13 mts
GT - 2169 tons
Deadweight - 3485 mtons
Maximum draft - 5,722 mts